I almost missed this shining jewel, Orto Botanico, located on a back street in Florence, Italy. My friend and I had been traveling for almost three weeks at this point. We could no longer continue washing clothes in a hotel sink so we set out to find a laundromat. Pulling our roller suitcases (these have just been banned in Venice!), I was busy taking photographs of intriguing exterior scenes. Suddenly my friend said with a hint of regret in his voice that I might be interested in a poster that we had just passed
I immediately crossed the street. As a gardener, I couldn't believe we stumbled on the world's third oldest botanical garden while just rambling along in a non-touristy area. My friend is not a gardener and has no interest but said let's go inside. He didn't have to beg me. This garden has over 9,000 plants including a three-hundred year old tree.
The garden is managed by the University of Florence and we were told that we had to leave our roller suitcases at the front desk. Thank goodness for that. lol One of the first things you see when stepping out into the gardens is this 19th century fountain.
This reproduction 1748 etching shows the fountain but with a different fountain head. The building in the print is still there but my photograph of the fountain was from a different direction.
The first thing we did was follow the side of the building to the greenhouses as it was still a bit chilly outside for the beginning of April and a lot of the plants would be hanging out there.
There was really no rhyme or reason to the greenhouses which was part of its charm as you felt as if you were on an expedition. Watch out for all the cactuses!
I am not sure why Italian gardens are mainly associated with growing citrus trees in pots. Please correct me if I am wrong but I believe the fruit on the tree below right is a type of lemon
I have a huge interest in garden implements, especially antique and vintage
I am sure there were those who wondered why the American was under the table photographing terracotta pots instead of the beautiful plants
quite a few Aloe varieties with some succulents
We'll continue our tour outside now as it has warmed up. The greenhouses we just left are shown in the back of the photograph
We'll just stroll and listen to the birds
These are possibly tree shoots below that already have bark
I am very happy that I peeped behind the above stone walls or I would have missed this spectacular pot that had everything going for it - patina, age, shape, style and someone who loved it enough to staple it back together. This is perfection to me.
It must have been a hospital for terracotta pots
palm tree collection
All the paths are gravel with flower beds bordered by low stone curbs. In a niche of the perimeter wall is placed a marble bust of Aesculapius, carved in the second half of the sixteenth century and, outside of the "historic gate", is still visible the Medici coat of arms in 1500.
all the resident animals seemed to get along well
The rock on top of the wall at the point is very nice but not as nice as those walkway retaining stones with the design carvings on their face (especially the one on the top left)
Japanese gardens
I especially like the rock on the bottom left; on the right is a tulip tree in bloom
the terracotta pots in the back are the largest I have ever seen as a couple of people could easily get inside of one
I love patina
some type of minature alpine garden
daisy necklaces made for the trees
I loved the ceramic plant labels seen all around
noticed several bat houses; this sign said "
DANGER do not approach spiny plants". I obeyed as I have never seen a more dangerous plant.
this pot was really different; it appears they were starting a vegetable garden with onion starts in these wicker baskets
I turned a corner and spotted my friend at the end of this walk sitting on a bench in the sun reading the morning paper and knew it was time to go as I didn't want to push my luck
My favorite thing that I saw here was this century old tree with its roots cradling this pot. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed seeing this bonding.
We headed for the exit and with a quick glimpse back, I caught sight of a final terracotta pot that was beautiful in its simplicity and its chose of plant
Our rolling suitcases were waiting so we took off rambling again but first stopped for a coffee.
I truly believe they were determined that we get our dirty clothes washed or risk arrest
We finally found our destination and it appeared like an arcade
Since the sign was in English, we were not the first ones here
After showering and dressing in fresh clean clothes we made our way back out for more sightseeing.
Since my friend had been so patient at the gardens, I treated for dinner and let him pick the restaurant without any input from me.
I don't eat red meat but Perseus was incredible as I had among other things artichokes prepared at least three or four different ways.
I hope you enjoyed the garden tour. I was a bit taken back from reading this about the Orto Botanico on their website
Because of the tornado that struck in the garden on September 19, we had to close to the public, will reopen April 1, 2015.
I hope my repaired terracotta pot with the staples made it through! There must have been a lot of damage though for the gardens to be closed for six months.
We stayed in Florence for six days. With rolling suitcases full of clean clothes, we boarded a train headed south to Rome.